What new driver heads are the 120+ guys going with?

[Rosco1216]

I played the tsr2 8* much of this last year and while it’s a great driver, it doesn’t put me in the launch window I want. Stock ball speed is mid 180’s and AoA around 1* up. My launch window with it is 8-9* and 2600-2800 spin. I want to be in the 11-12 LA and 2200-2400 spin window on course.  
 

I really like the ping 10k but it launches basically IDENTICAL to the tsr2. I’m testing the darkspeed x and standard QI 10. They are both just OK for me. Love the feel of the darkspeed and very much dislike the carbon face feel of the QI. I’m not looking for less forgiving top distance step ups of the faster LS type models.
 

Can’t remember the YouTube guy to produced this chart but it really has me looking into the ai smoke max given the 3* higher launch than the tsr2/10k but same spin.  My mind is thinking ai smoke max, tour green strong adapter. -4/5g rear weight and +4/5g front weight 😳

Edited February 16, 2024 by Rosco1216

[Big_hitter_The_Lama]

I’m surprised you didn’t go with the TSR3 over the 2. The Triple Diamond produces a piercing trajectory as well and you can get it in the 8° head.

[LongNwrong27]

That’s a nice chart, pretty cool comparison 

[LeftDash14]

I swung the cally slower than my gamer sim & qils when I tested. Have you thought about tweaking shaft or tsr3 in 9.0? I really don’t think there’s any magic in the new release’s. Maybe wait for fall if you’re a Titleist loyalist.

 

Try teeing it higher than you are comfortable to get that Aoa to +4. I bet spin drops and launch goes up. If you swing like a dj or brooks then it could be a loft problem. Would go lower spinning head with more loft 

Edited February 17, 2024 by LeftDash14

[Barfolomew]

Why no LS model.....spin is spin right no matter the source? 

 

If your spinning the same from manipulating a Max to get down to a LS spin dont they have same forgiveness at that point? real question I'm not sure lol

 

Play a LS head with more loft to increase launch but keep spin 2200-2400...

[Rosco1216]

48 minutes ago, Big_hitter_The_Lama said:

I’m surprised you didn’t go with the TSR3 over the 2. The Triple Diamond produces a piercing trajectory as well and you can get it in the 8° head.

Tried the tsr3. Wasn’t noticeably better launch conditions or speed for me and much less predictable.

[Rosco1216]

4 hours ago, LeftDash14 said:

I swung the cally slower than my gamer sim & qils when I tested. Have you thought about tweaking shaft or tsr3 in 9.0? I really don’t think there’s any magic in the new release’s. Maybe wait for fall if you’re a Titleist loyalist.

 

Try teeing it higher than you are comfortable to get that Aoa to +4. I bet spin drops and launch goes up. If you swing like a dj or brooks then it could be a loft problem. Would go lower spinning head with more loft 

I can tee it higher and do on occasion. I get squirrelly with more right side tilt and trying to swing more up.

Edited February 17, 2024 by Rosco1216

[Rosco1216]

25 minutes ago, Barfolomew said:

Why no LS model.....spin is spin right no matter the source? 

 

If your spinning the same from manipulating a Max to get down to a LS spin dont they have same forgiveness at that point? real question I'm not sure lol

 

Play a LS head with more loft to increase launch but keep spin 2200-2400...

Well I’m intrigued by the ai max due to the higher launch compared to others in the same spin window. I will first go with a green strong adapter to 7* and if it is close to what I want I’ll keep or manipulate a little with the weights.

 

I will go one of the LS type heads and go down to 44.5-75” length if I can’t settle on something else. 

Edited February 17, 2024 by Rosco1216

[LeftDash14]

Rory seems to be nuclear again with qi core but it’s a special dot model. I have a buddy with your kinda speed/launch and he found success with tsr2 and hates the 3 as well. You may be close to optimal. Ludvig/Dunlap are low 180s and they spin it some at 9-10 launch. Dunlap is rocking the qi Ls 9.0 with the hulk and gets this…but it’s at pebble so slower than other venues 

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C22W-3AtAUt/?igsh=MWIxbHR1NmFwb3R5Mg==

Edited February 17, 2024 by LeftDash14

[BirdieBob]

 

[PlatinumNike]

9* G430 LST

 

launching at 13*
 

spin 2000 (2300 with a different shaft)

[Rockytop1985]

PXG Black Ops, 10.5

[Valtiel]

I think the slightly tricky bit is:

"Stock ball speed is mid 180’s and AoA around 1* up. My launch window with it is 8-9* and 2600-2800 spin. I want to be in the 11-12 LA and 2200-2400 spin"

In talking about raising launch a couple ticks and dropping spin slightly, a fairly level AoA is going to be a slightly limiting factor. I've seen your swing so IIRC I wouldn't be super keen on changing anything, therefore with that AoA the only way to raise launch and lower spin is to alter strike with your existing head, or loft up slightly in one of the "LS" type heads. There is a youtube golfer named James Wiltshire who is in your same speed category and he lofted up a good bit with the Darkspeed and seems to be loving the results as someone normally playing 6-7* heads. The aforementioned Qi10 dot version that you can get from Peoples would be worth checking out, feel issues notwithstanding. 

Edited February 17, 2024 by Valtiel

[GolfTurkey]

I know that dispersion average could be hiding all sorts of gremlins (40 yards left, 40 right averages to zero) but the ai Smoke Max seems to score consistently highly on dispersion on all the reviews I've seen

[B.Easy]

The PXG Black OPS has almost identical launch and spin as my Stealth 2+, but is significantly more forgiving.  I'm mid 170's and occasionally touching 180 and only +1-2* AOA.  My spin is consistently below 2500.  My path is generally pretty neutral.  The next best, but not quite as forgiving or fast was the G430 LST.  

 

It's worth a look if you're going to test stuff.  

[rooski]

I just swapped into a G425 Max (not a new head granted) and swing ~123. I don't think that specific head would be correct for you as it seems like you're trying to maximize distance whereas I was trying to normalize around 2700 spin and a 290-300 carry. This is compared to the Paradym TD I had before which was an absolute low spin bomber but I saw one too many 1200 spin knuckleballs I had to make a change.

 

That being said there is a point for you here in that swapping to the PING upped my launch from 7* to 12* or so, which I hear can be relatively common for whatever reasons for a lot of PING heads. Instead of trying out the 10k MAX at the same loft, why not try a 425 LST or 430 LST lofted up a degree or so? Could be an interesting experiment

[HappyGilmore22]

TSR3 8 deg playing 7.25 deg. TSR2 spins too much for me. I'm in the 2500 rpm range on spin with good strikes.

[FHALL]

Bought one of those 8* qi10 dot core heads from peoples golf. Only hit it on the range so far but early results are very nice . personally love the feel of center contact shots and it does seem quite a bit  more forgiving on off center strikes (compared to stealth plus) launches high and ball just keeps going even into wind but i reckon i do hit up on it way more than 1*

[phizzy30]

I picked up an AI Smoke TD.  My launch went from 10-12* to 12-15* but it's because I put in a different shaft.  I did test the AI Smoke MAX as well and saw maybe 1-2* higher launch compared to the TSR3.  The head pro at my CC switched from a AI Smoke TD to a tour issue AI Smoke MAX TD(lucky SOB) which is supposedly higher launch like the MAX but lower spin like the TD and forgiveness sits between the two according to him.  Foot print is also a bit smaller than the MAX which looks huge at setup because it's stretched out.  I'm definitely going to ask if I can test his setup since I've played quite a few rounds with him and his son.  FYI, 8-9* launch at your speed won't kill but I understand your desire to get it a little higher.  10-12* would probably be optimal.  2600-2800 isn't optimal for pure distance but much more playable than 2200-2400 out on the course. 

Edited February 17, 2024 by phizzy30

[Rosco1216]

1 hour ago, phizzy30 said:

I picked up an AI Smoke TD.  My launch went from 10-12* to 12-15* but it's because I put in a different shaft.  I did test the AI Smoke MAX as well and saw maybe 1-2* higher launch compared to the TSR3.  The head pro at my CC switched from a AI Smoke TD to a tour issue AI Smoke MAX TD(lucky SOB) which is supposedly higher launch like the MAX but lower spin like the TD and forgiveness sits between the two according to him.  Foot print is also a bit smaller than the MAX which looks huge at setup because it's stretched out.  I'm definitely going to ask if I can test his setup since I've played quite a few rounds with him and his son.  FYI, 8-9* launch at your speed won't kill but I understand your desire to get it a little higher.  10-12* would probably be optimal.  2600-2800 isn't optimal for pure distance but much more playable than 2200-2400 out on the course. 

Yeah I know it doesn’t kill me launching 8-9*. To be honest it’s really the brnr mini’s fault. I have it set up in as short(distance wise) as possible and it still only carries 15-20 yards shorter. 

[Rosco1216]

7 hours ago, rooski said:

I just swapped into a G425 Max (not a new head granted) and swing ~123. I don't think that specific head would be correct for you as it seems like you're trying to maximize distance whereas I was trying to normalize around 2700 spin and a 290-300 carry. This is compared to the Paradym TD I had before which was an absolute low spin bomber but I saw one too many 1200 spin knuckleballs I had to make a change.

 

That being said there is a point for you here in that swapping to the PING upped my launch from 7* to 12* or so, which I hear can be relatively common for whatever reasons for a lot of PING heads. Instead of trying out the 10k MAX at the same loft, why not try a 425 LST or 430 LST lofted up a degree or so? Could be an interesting experiment

I played the g425 max in 2022. -5g rear weight and 5-6g melt low and forward. Liked it until I cracked the face.

[Rosco1216]

9 hours ago, Valtiel said:

I think the slightly tricky bit is:

"Stock ball speed is mid 180’s and AoA around 1* up. My launch window with it is 8-9* and 2600-2800 spin. I want to be in the 11-12 LA and 2200-2400 spin"

In talking about raising launch a couple ticks and dropping spin slightly, a fairly level AoA is going to be a slightly limiting factor. I've seen your swing so IIRC I wouldn't be super keen on changing anything, therefore with that AoA the only way to raise launch and lower spin is to alter strike with your existing head, or loft up slightly in one of the "LS" type heads. There is a youtube golfer named James Wiltshire who is in your same speed category and he lofted up a good bit with the Darkspeed and seems to be loving the results as someone normally playing 6-7* heads. The aforementioned Qi10 dot version that you can get from Peoples would be worth checking out, feel issues notwithstanding. 

Yeah I had a L5/S1 disc issue in 2022 that I made compensations for which caused my AOA to flatten out and stayed that way over the last year so I’m starting to work on tweaking that. Prior to that I was +3* AOA and didn’t have any problems getting these launch conditions.  

[Brooks_Cupcake]

3 hours ago, phizzy30 said:

I picked up an AI Smoke TD.  My launch went from 10-12* to 12-15* but it's because I put in a different shaft.  I did test the AI Smoke MAX as well and saw maybe 1-2* higher launch compared to the TSR3.  The head pro at my CC switched from a AI Smoke TD to a tour issue AI Smoke MAX TD(lucky SOB) which is supposedly higher launch like the MAX but lower spin like the TD and forgiveness sits between the two according to him.  Foot print is also a bit smaller than the MAX which looks huge at setup because it's stretched out.  I'm definitely going to ask if I can test his setup since I've played quite a few rounds with him and his son.  FYI, 8-9* launch at your speed won't kill but I understand your desire to get it a little higher.  10-12* would probably be optimal.  2600-2800 isn't optimal for pure distance but much more playable than 2200-2400 out on the course. 

Lending golf clubs is like sharing underwear…just a no fly zone. You make enough, and trade enough, just get one…love your content btw.

[Tbone107]

I think at your speed, if you just care about performance and not so much the aesthetics, you need to test a krank fire head.. most accurate head I've ever played at the higher end of the swing speed spectrum and it's not particularly close. 

 

And as an added bonus, you don't have to worry about face cracks/face flattening like with the OEM heads 

Edited February 17, 2024 by Tbone107

[Rosco1216]

28 minutes ago, Tbone107 said:

I think at your speed, if you just care about performance and not so much the aesthetics, you need to test a krank fire head.. most accurate head I've ever played at the higher end of the swing speed spectrum and it's not particularly close. 

 

And as an added bonus, you don't have to worry about face cracks/face flattening like with the OEM heads 

Is that the one Bryson plays?

[LeftDash14]

38 minutes ago, Brooks_Cupcake said:

Lending golf clubs is like sharing underwear…just a no fly zone. You make enough, and trade enough, just get one…love your content btw.

Hopefully this a curb - no fly zone reference 

[LeftDash14]

10 hours ago, FHALL said:

Bought one of those 8* qi10 dot core heads from peoples golf. Only hit it on the range so far but early results are very nice . personally love the feel of center contact shots and it does seem quite a bit  more forgiving on off center strikes (compared to stealth plus) launches high and ball just keeps going even into wind but i reckon i do hit up on it way more than 1*

Where did you go to actually get this? Not seriously interested but their site has zero 2024 tm stuff on it. 

[LeftDash14]

Last post in here (apolgies) but now I’m super confused on pro setups. Obvs this is one swing but Rory’s lovin these new #’s?? His drives on 17 were 185 bs and 144 pk height 

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3Y1sBPMIKV/?igsh=ZGd4ODh1enExYmth

[Tbone107]

23 minutes ago, Rosco1216 said:

Is that the one Bryson plays?

Yes, I think he's in the 6 degree LD and I'm in the 5(another added bonus for me is getting the lower lofted heads without having to crank the face so open).. I got it shortly after he put it in play just to try something new, as accuracy off the tee with driver had always been a big limiting factor for me so I said what the heck ill give it a shot as maybe there was something to it for guys with high SS. 

 

As it turns out, it's been the single best equipment purchase for my game. Good for good it isn't any different than anything that is out there, but with the higher cg and more defined bulge and roll the misses just want to find the fairway vs. Being OB with every other head I had played to date. 

Edited February 17, 2024 by Tbone107

[FHALL]

13 minutes ago, LeftDash14 said:

Where did you go to actually get this? Not seriously interested but their site has zero 2024 tm stuff on it. 

saw one posted by them in a thread about a 2nd version core head so emailed them and asked since i didnt see one on the site either.